Screwed myself out of A-List by booking with points
 

I have A-list this year due to status match. Based on my flying so far, I will be close to making it on trips this year. My best guess right now is that I might be slightly short - due to my not thinking. A few flights earlier this year were booked using points instead of cash. I had a few other future flights with points that I cancelled and rebooked with cash. We can make use of the points next year, so not a waste.

Now many out there have made this mistake?

I've had the opposite problem in the past re-qualifying on TQP alone for AL+. Very helpful to book RT's that straddle year end to push all the points into the next year. Rare instance where RT's work in your favor!

Next time you see $39 or even $49 fares book a segment run. A quick turnaround on $39 fares costs only $72.

You have 6 months left, that's plenty of time to find a fare sale and do status runs.

Once I began flying about 25-30 flights per year, I've since decided to stick to cash bookings for the first 25 flights in a calendar year, and then wait to use points until after I've flown 25 flights. At least you know for next year!

I agree with others though, that there's plenty of time to catch some sales fares for status runs, and there should be several short flights from Nashville that could be viable. (I already see some $49 fares for BNA-ATL in August for example)

Fares get dirt cheap for travel in early December. Perfect time for end-of-year segment runs.

The OP's profile says they're based in Nashville. Looking in late August I see flights to Atlanta for $49 each way. You could take a day trip.

yea... i was thinking about status runs.... and trips we probably should not be spending money on...LOL,...

Would have been maybe only one or two status runs if I had been paying attention. STUPID on my part.

Will be looking at cheap flights... and before November.

We have Cit CC that gets us in to AA lounge in Nashville that makes flying much easier. Often well lubricated before boarding so that helps. That option goes away in November. (AA is putting in a new rule that you must be flying AA the same day to use lounge)

What's your points/flights mix? I get it on points much sooner than on # flights. If your points/flights mix is somewhat close, maybe purchase more expensive Anytime or BS fares in order to get it by points, instead of segment runs?

Buy a fully refundable AA ticket for that day?

I also use the AA lounge before WN flights. AA is even screwing their Lifetime AAdmirals members with this drastic change of T&Cs. It's nice that WN hasn't joined the race to the bottom.

To be fair, WN doesn't even try to operate lounges. I think all of the legacies are going this direction - I gave up paid sky club membership because of the change. WN has never had any lounges to bar me from, though.

I have A-list and now that it makes no difference in checking bags or getting through security, I can't imagine why you would do a segment run just to get it. Checking in at T-24 will almost always get you a window or aisle, so I'm not sure what A-list does for you.

Same day standby is all I miss. I had an excellent success rate, booking cheap late night flights and leaving whenever we actually want to.

25% point bonus?

Yea, you can do this. But not on a regular basis as something will get flagged eventually.

If a one time deal, it would work. We seem to flying at least 1-2 times a month lately. So maybe if there is one day with a long time at the airport...

We are right on top of T-24 (one of us is A list, other is not).

Yes, a window or aisle is usually not an issue. But with A-list usually no higher that a-30 - the chances of getting those LUV seats is the big reason. We really love getting those.

(please, oh please do not start the goat rodeo about saving seats - that horse has been shot - LOL)

Seems like we are competing in nearly the exact same set of circumstances. My wife has A-list with companion pass (I am her companion), and I have no status. I check in at exactly T-24 and am usually 20 or so behind her, and she is definitely shooting for the LUV seat every single time. So long story short, I suggest you do NOT status run so that if we end up on the same flight, my wife gets the LUV seat :D

Hmmm...let's race and see who gets those seats first!

On a recent flight with grandchildren, we needed two full rows so we passed those seats. Amazingly, the first person to sit there was close to A-60. I am often amazed how many walk past them.

As to being about 20 behind spouse... that is usually fine - UNLESS we slide to B1 or later since families then board. Not an issue with LUV seats, but it does make a difference. More than once I have snagged the LUV seats while earlier boarders are still trying to figure out where they want to sit.

In all reality I would actually much prefer the exit row that has the extra legroom, since I am 6'3" and that extra legroom is awesome. The LUV seat is actually a little annoying to me since it doesn't recline, and doesn't have any extra legroom. My wife, however is only 5'1" and she very much prefers not having to sit next to a stranger, which I can sympathize with. We both agreed that if she can snag the LUV seats she'll do it... happy wife = happy life and all. She has agreed that if the LUV seats are already taken and the exit row aisle/middle is open with the extra legroom, she'll take that as a backup. Third place option is the infinity-legroom and middle of that row, otherwise we're just going aisle/middle toward the front of the plane so we can get off faster. So far this year in about 10 flights, we have gotten the LUV seats every time, including a bunch of 4+ hour flights where I was secretly hoping for the extra legroom instead :eek:

Not to derail the thread too much, but I find that an FA is often standing somewhere in the exit rows, and people are hesitant to ask them to move. I've gotten the infinity-legroom seat as late as B30 when traveling by myself since nobody wanted to ask the FA to move out of that row during boarding.

What is the rule on unticketed access at WN lounges?:;)

While OT, but on a more serious note, something had to give. Not enough space at AC's generated a lot of complaints and, at many airports, there simply isn't more space to be had. It becomes a zero-sum game. Either up the fees until people start dropping out, eliminate guests, or boot the people who are not even spending on AA.

Please list where there is a WN lounge..

spoiler alert - there aren't any that I have ever heard of

AA and UA copied Delta on limiting club access. The reason is as you stated. However some people PAID MONEY for lifetime memberships, and no refunds are being offered. This change cheats those customers out of what they paid for. People who paid for a year (or paid for a club access credit card) have gotten approximately adequate notice. Delta did the right thing and quickly excluded its lifetime members from the upcoming access restrictions.

AA and UA, who normally copy everything DL does, have instead decided that screwing their paid lifetime members is a cool idea. This is one more example that promises of lifetime benefits are rarely a good deal for the buyer.

DL was heavily pressured by a coalition of unhappy paid lifetime members... and did the right thing. Parker - you're next!

Explain? Is this a recent change?

Is this still the case? I thought I was being slick doing that this year... and only got TQP on my return leg. It was an International Flight (MX) if that makes a difference... was very sad as this year I'm looking a little behind in my points earnings.

I am sorry, I haven't done in a few years now but haven't read otherwise domestic or international. Did the outgoing TQP post in the previous year?

Ah- OK, "situational" changes vs. published ones.

I have CLEAR and Pre so that part doesn't apply, but I'm really starting to agree with you WRT Kiosking it vs. the "Priority" line to the counter- which has on more than one occasion left me standing a lot longer than I'd think you'd want to have your best customers to have to.

For me, not having to remember at T-24 is high value, and once you add same-day standby and boarding after the A group, it's worth it to me. I fly intra-CA primarily and being able to hop on an earlier flight when my day ends earlier is a huge benefit for me. Even for only an hour flight, I appreciate being able to be handed a C boarding pass for a last minute change but still grab an aisle or window when I board after the A group.

I always make A list on segments, not miles, and I'm typically close enough to only need to add a segment or two to put me over the top (we've mastered the art of maximizing the fun of the OAK-LAS day trip on one of the first two Saturdays in December!).

This pretty much captures my experience with obtaining A-list and its value as an intra-CA flyer, as someone who also qualifies via segments. (Though I've learned the art of making a weekday OAK-LGB run in Nov/Dec...but I do like the Vegas idea!)

I can highly recommend it! First flight out on Saturday morning, head straight to your favorite brunch buffet and eat / drink till you're stuffed, walk it off all afternoon with whatever Vegas entertainment you love, early dinner, last flight home!

I pair WN flying with Priority Pass lounges from time to time.

In the U.S., they're often dingy lounges that aren't really worth really paying for, but good for some basic munchies and a couple beers before a flight.

Yes, we use PP lounges and Amex lounges. The poster earlier mentioned a WN lounge - which there are of course a grand total of ZERO.

Older thread.. but just wanted to confirm that only flights count towards A-List?

No hotel points which are good for CP?
No referral bonus points, which are good for CP?

Any other way to get points for A- List?

There are some credit cards that give you tier qualifying points. Cant remember all off hand but I know the Chase Perf Business you get a list points for every so much spend if that makes sense.

The Chase WN card, believe its the $99 version, 1500 TQP for every $10,000 spent to max of 15,000 points. I did the max on one card and some on the business version to get AL+ one year before I just flew BS fares exclusively. It was easier for me due to a business and the CVS Vanilla Reload craze a few years back. It can push you over the edge if necessary.